THE  STORY OF ONE FOOT
It was a chilly spring morning when she arrived. The murder that usually frequented the courtyard had not been seen for days. When they returned there was a new member. A squawking ,muleing fledgling. Scraggy looking, still sporting a few grey feathers sticking out at odd angles and most noticeably missing a foot. This was One Foot.
As time went on she grew into a beautiful bird with glistening black feathers and a curious nature. The most adventurous of the lot, it is she that comes to the door and calls for food. It is she that plays catch with the peanuts I throw her way and it is she that looks me in the eye when I speak to her. She is not tame or trained or a pet, she is my friend.

 PROOF
18th century British sailors really enjoyed their ration of rum and they didn’t appreciate it when it when some sly captain would try to slip them a watered down tot. To ensure they were getting the real deal the wily mates would pour some on gunpowder. If the powder ignited the sailors would take this as 100% proof that the rum was unadulterated. If not……one can only imagine.
Back then 100 Proof was set at 57%ABV ( alcohol by volume)  However in 1848 the Americans set it at 50% ABV. which is the measure we use.
By the way, this is the inspiration for our 100 Proof Gunpowder Gin.